Every day thousands of Londoners use the big

Every day, thousands of Londoners use the big red buses to move - often slowly - around town.

The idea of ‘double decker’ is actually much older than the motor bus; it is simply a continuation of the system that was used for public transport in the age of horse -drawn vehicles, when some passengers sat inside, and the rest travelled on the roof. Too bad it was raining!

Today the only open – topped buses are the special tourist buses. ‘Routemasters’ are the buses that have been taken all over the world, the buses that you can see in the tourist brochures, and the ones which have been sold, in miniature, to millions of visitors and souvenir hunters.

The ‘Routemaster’ is a legend in itself! With it open platform at the black end, the ‘Routemaster’ is still the most popular bus in London, because passengers can climb on and off when they want, even if the bus is moving. These buses were designed specially for London, by people who knew what London needed, and they have served their purpose well!

The black London taxi cab is another traditional symbol of London. It looks old-fashioned and clumsy, but in fact it is comfortable and speedy. Besides , London taxi drivers know the city very well.

So when you climb into the famous black cab you can be sure that it’ll get you wherever you want and by the quickest possible route.